Who Has Experience with Australian Made LiFePO4 Batteries?

Lcornflakes on 20/07/2022 - 18:58

Hello all,

Has anyone purchased any Australian made LiFePO4 batteries? Are there any manufacturers here that make their own from scratch or do they normally just import them from China and build/assemble with whatever BMS etc?

I'm looking to get a 200Ah to run fridge, laptop, monitor, etc so I can work remotely while I do some short 1-2 week trips. Redarc wants over $3000 for one. I've seen some cheaper ones for $900-1500.

Could also go the route of buying the batteries and BMS on Aliexpress and DIY, though cost wise it's not that much cheaper so prefer to buy Aussie made with warranty.

Charging wise I've yet to decide but would love to hear your input on alternator/dual isolator, solar, generator or mains (when available).

Cheers

Electrical & Electronics Battery LiFePO4 Lithium Battery Rechargeable Battery

Comments

  • fantombloo on 20/07/2022 - 19:24
    +1

    The cells are all imported. The locals may make the enclosure and do the assembly.

    I've used plenty of Enerdrive gear and it's all been pretty good.

  • brendanm on 20/07/2022 - 20:41

    You will want a dc-dc charger for charging from an alternator.

  • Thenhz on 20/07/2022 - 21:22

    I also wouldn't discount getting a "solar" generator. Once you include all the bits and pieces you need over just the raw battery (DC/MPTT Charger, Mains charger, invertor, cables, connectors, fuses, etc…) you might find it's not that different that a simular sized Bluetti or simular.

    That said, 200Ah is quite big for an all-in-one, most brands do have them in this range but it is the higher end.

  • sjj89 on 20/07/2022 - 22:22

    Get what you pay for with batteries.

    RedArc are very good, and they stand by their product.

    Spend the money

    • lgacb08 on 27/07/2022 - 13:10
      +1

      Redarc is just overpriced. They get away because those tradies can afford by passing their $500 an hour rate onto customers.

      • sjj89 on 28/07/2022 - 08:29

        Manufacturing in Australia is expensive

  • NinjaCougar on 21/07/2022 - 12:16
    +1

    Redarc products are well known for their sturdy construction for rough Aussie conditions. I haven't looked at their batteries (they are pretty new) but you shouldn't have any problems with them. At $3k they are at the premium end of the market. Other Aussie companies have their batteries made overseas to their specifications, and some smaller builders make up batteries locally from imported parts. If you are looking for Aussie made you might come across Giant batteries. They are not Aussie-made, it's probably one of the worst examples of misleading advertising. Buying cells/BMSs and making your own batteries is probably not something you should be looking at if you are only after a single battery. In terms of charging, it depends on your situation. If you are driving most days you may only need a DCDC charger. If you are stationary most of the time you will need plenty of solar. Otherwise, a combination of the two, and possibly a 240-volt charger if you want to plug in. It all depends on your individual needs. If you want a fully portable solution there are various Aussie companies who put these together. It's a bit sad how there are now companies like Bluetti from the USA (the home of rampant capitalism) aggressively advertising their products as if they were something new and special (I think just about every YouTuber has been given a 'solar generator'); where Aussies have been doing this for years, originally with AGM batteries, now with Lithium.

    • tanksinatra on 26/07/2022 - 09:42

      +1
      NinjaCougar is on the money.

      As mentioned above, the cells are all imported. China pretty much has a monopoly on LiFePO4. No manufacturers here makes LFP batteries from 'scratch' but there are a few who assemble batteries locally. Most A-Grade cells get sold for EV use. Any cells that don't make the grade are B-Grade and get sold to the stationary storage market.

      I wouldn't make my own for one battery, just buy it assembled.

      Be sure to capacity test any battery that you buy. I was burned by dodgy batteries from itechworld (itech120) which barely had 75% of their rated capacity.

      • Mad Max on 27/07/2022 - 08:38

        Is there an easy way to capacity test with a multimeter or do you need specific equipment?

        • tanksinatra on 27/07/2022 - 10:53
          +1

          No, multimeter won't cut it.
          To measure the capacity of a battery you need to fully discharge the battery and count the coulombs moving across it.
          The usual standard test procedure involves discharging the battery into an electronic load device which records voltage and current to give capacity. You can buy these on eBay for ~$85.

          But you can also roughly estimate the capacity by discharging the battery into a known load (e.g. 12v 55w bulb) and seeing how many hours it glows for. Should be around 23hours for a 12v/100ah battery.

  • Gros21 on 21/07/2022 - 23:41
    +1

    If you get a grade cells with a decent BMS don't be affraid of Chinese made products.

    Red arc at that price is a rip off.

    Just get a metal cased batt from china you will be fine.

  • Mad Max on 22/07/2022 - 12:10

    If you drive a bit every day to recharge or you can plug into mains every night with a charger you can get 2x100Ah AGM or gel quite cheap.
    Or even standard flooded lead acid for very cheap.

  • shutuptakemymoney101 on 27/07/2022 - 19:37

    200Ah Victron Energy LiFePO4 LFP lithium battery with bluetooth app

    $2650.00

    https://www.batteryvalue.com.au/

    Peter is great to deal with, and really knows his stuff.

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